The EP is full of catchy and creative ways to express her story. The third track “End This (L.O.V.E.)” is a spin off of the jazzy Nat King Cole track that everybody knows, “L-O-V-E.” Instead of being mushy gushy like in the original, Steinfeld utilizes the acronym to call out her ex… “L is for the way you lied to me / O is I’m the only one who sees / That V is so vindictive, so I’ll be vicious / and E: ending this L-O-V-E-Love.” They way the song builds, in volume and instrumentation, is really very cool and fresh.
Steinfeld shows the variety and grit she brings to the table as a pop artist through the diversity within her EP. “Your Name Hurts” has a waltz pattern, she raps the verses in “Man Up,” and she strips down to a piano ballad in “Wrong Direction,” all the while sticking to her truth in a cohesive way and pulling the heartstrings with her powerful lyrics.
Half Written Story is the first part of a two-piece project, which will be completed by an upcoming third EP, to be released this summer. This is the first time Steinfeld has put out a full collection of songs since her EP HAIZ in 2016. It’s definitely a refreshing thing to hear more of her empowering anthems. “Love Yourself” from HAIZ caught a lot of attention, and I predict her newer songs will take off similarly. We’ve currently got “End This (L-O-V-E)” in the #1 slot on our Nü Qü playlist because I can’t get enough of this EP!